Every driver, while driving a vehicle, regularly faces the need to stop along the route. This often happens on the sides of roads, where there are many different signs indicating the operating hours of public transport. One of the most important and often ignored pointers is stop sign on demand, which requires the motorist to immediately react and follow a clear algorithm of actions.
Ignoring this element of road infrastructure can lead not only to administrative liability, but also create a dangerous situation on the roadway. Unlike ordinary stops, where a bus or minibus stops according to a schedule, here the vehicle can wait for passengers anywhere in the sign’s coverage area. That is why understanding the logic of this sign is critically important for every road user, be it a novice or an experienced driver with experience.
In this article we will analyze in detail the appearance of the sign, the features of its installation, the rules for approaching the passenger disembarkation zone and possible sanctions for violating the regulations. You will learn how to distinguish this sign from other similar signs and why bus drivers are required to stop at the indicated location. Attention to detail will help you avoid unpleasant conversations with traffic police inspectors and ensure the safety of people using public transport.
Appearance and designation of the pointer
Visually identifying an area where vehicles stop only at the signal of passengers is quite simple if you know what to look for. Stop sign on demand It is a rectangular white plate with a blue border. A stylized silhouette of a bus is depicted in the center, and there is often an additional information sign underneath or to the side that reads “On Request.” This is a key difference from standard stop pockets, where there is no such inscription.
Drivers often confuse this sign with the “Bus and (or) trolleybus stop” sign, which looks like a blue rectangle with a white image of transport. The main difference lies in the additional elements: the “On demand” sign (8.22) specifies the operating mode. If you see a combination of the main sign 5.16 and a clarifying sign, this means that the bus will not stop unless someone signals or leaves the passenger compartment.
The size of the sign may vary depending on the type of road and speed limit. On highways, larger formats are used for better readability at a distance. Sometimes other elements may be located nearby, for example, route signs or timetables, but the main sign with the corresponding plate is the priority for making a decision to stop.
- 🚌 The main sign has a rectangular shape with an image of a vehicle.
- ⚠️ The “On Demand” sign is a mandatory addition that changes the stopping rules.
- 👁️ The sign must be clearly visible to drivers during daylight and dark hours.
⚠️ Attention: the absence of an “On request” sign means that the vehicle must stop at this place in any case, regardless of the presence of passengers.
Where and how the sign is installed
The installation of road signs is regulated by strict state standards, which determine not only the appearance, but also the location. Stop sign on demand mounted to the right of the roadway, at a height that provides good visibility. In populated areas, this is usually 2-4 meters high so that the sign is not blocked by parked cars or landscape elements.
Road services are obliged to ensure free access to the stopping place. This means that the area of the sign should not be obstructed by debris, snow or construction materials. If you see that the entrance to the stop is blocked, this is a violation of the rules of improvement, but the bus driver is still obliged to try to get as close as possible to the edge of the roadway to safely disembark people.
At night, the installation site must be illuminated or have a reflective coating. This is especially true for country roads where there is no artificial lighting. Reflective film on the surface of the sign allows the driver to notice it with the headlights on long before approaching the stopping zone, which gives time for safe maneuvering and reducing speed.
Sometimes, in dense urban areas or difficult terrain, the sign may be duplicated. An additional sign can be placed on building facades, lighting poles, or even on special remote structures above the road. The main rule for the driver is to act on the last sign he saw if they contradict each other, although such a situation is a violation on the part of the road services.
Pay attention to the condition of the road surface in the stopping area: deep holes can make it difficult for elderly people or parents with strollers to get out, so the driver should choose the smoothest area within the sign’s coverage area.
Stop rules for public transport
For drivers of buses, trolleybuses and minibuses, the operation of the “Stop on Demand” sign imposes special obligations. They do not have the right to drive past if they see a passenger raising their hand on the side of the road or if someone in the car pressed the horn button. Ignoring a request to stop is considered a gross violation of labor discipline and traffic rules.
The stopping process must be smooth and safe. The driver is required to turn on the right turn signal in advance, warning other road users of his maneuver. You need to drive up to the curb as close as possible, but without the risk of damaging the vehicle or injuring waiting people. The distance between the side of the bus and the edge of the road should not exceed 30-50 centimeters.
Particular attention should be paid to safety when opening doors. The driver is responsible for making sure that the exit of passengers does not interfere with other vehicles, especially if the stop is organized on a narrow road without a designated pocket. Only after complete disembarkation and embarkation, as well as closing the doors, can the vehicle resume movement.
☑️ Bus stopping algorithm
There is a nuance associated with overcrowding. If the bus is packed, the driver is still required to stop if the signal is given. However, he can continue moving without opening the doors if landing is impossible for technical reasons, but this is a controversial point, which often becomes the subject of complaints from passengers. Ideally, the driver should at least indicate a stop.
Rules of conduct for other drivers
Drivers of cars and trucks must be especially vigilant in the area covered by the “Stop on Demand” sign. The main danger is that the bus can stop at any time, even if there is no obvious stop with a pavilion ahead. Sharp braking of a large vehicle can take the driver behind you by surprise.
Overtaking public transport when it stops is prohibited if it is parked on the roadway and passengers are disembarked on the road and not on the sidewalk or landing area. In such cases, you must wait until the bus moves away or removes the left turn signal, which it often uses to indicate the end of the maneuver.
Parking within the area covered by the sign is strictly prohibited. Even a short stop “for a minute” to unload goods or meet friends is unacceptable here. This creates a “blind spot” for the bus driver and forces passengers to step onto the roadway, which directly threatens their lives. Fines for parking at public transport stops are quite high and may be accompanied by the towing of the car.
- 🚗 Reduce your speed when approaching the sign, be prepared for the bus ahead to brake.
- 🚫 Do not park in the area covered by the sign, even if it seems that buses rarely go here.
- 👀 Watch the “dimensions” of the bus: if the left turn signal is on, detour is allowed with caution.
Is it possible to overtake a bus if it is at a stop without a pocket?
You can overtake a stationary bus only if it is not prohibited by markings and signs, and only after it has given a left turn signal indicating that it is ready to continue moving. If the bus is just parked and turned off, it is better to wait, as the doors could open at any moment.
Fines and liability for violations
Violation of the rules associated with the “Stop on Demand” sign entails administrative liability. For public transport drivers, ignoring a passenger's signal may result in a fine in accordance with the carrier's internal regulations and the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, although in practice it is difficult to prove this fact without video recording or witness testimony. Most often, a complaint is filed with the transport company, and the driver receives a reprimand.
For car drivers, the main risks are associated with parking in the wrong place. Stopping or parking in a place intended for stopping route vehicles will result in a fine. In 2026, the fine is 1,000 rubles, and in cities of federal significance (Moscow and St. Petersburg) - 3,000 rubles.
If the driver’s actions led to the creation of an emergency or accident, liability may be reclassified to a more serious article. For example, if, because of a parked car, the bus was unable to approach the curb, and a passenger was hit while exiting the road, the driver of the car may be held criminally liable for violating the rules, resulting in serious harm to health.
| Violation | Article of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation | Amount of fine (RUB) | Additional measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stop on site for minibuses | 12.19 hours 3.1 | 1 000 | No |
| Stop on site for minibuses (MSK, St. Petersburg) | 12.19 h. 6 | 3 000 | No |
| Failure to comply with a stop request (general case) | 12.25 | 500 - 800 | No |
| Obstructing the movement of a route vehicle | 12.19 h. 4 | 2 000 | No |
The fine for parking at a public transport stop in Moscow and St. Petersburg is three times higher than in other regions of Russia, and amounts to 3,000 rubles.
Frequently asked questions and controversial situations
Situations often arise on the roads that are not described in detail in traffic regulations, which gives rise to disputes between drivers and inspectors. For example, what should you do if a “Stop on Demand” sign is damaged, overturned, or obscured by tree branches? In this case, the principle applies: if the sign is not readable, it is as if it does not exist, but reasonable caution will not hurt. If you see a group of people waving by the side of the road, it is better to slow down, even if the sign is not visible.
Another controversial point is the effect of the sign at night. Some bus drivers believe that at night, when there are no passengers, there is no need to stop. This is a misconception. The sign is valid 24 hours a day until canceled by another sign or route operating time. However, if a passenger at a stop clearly does not intend to get on (for example, he is waiting for a taxi), the bus may not stop.
It is also important to differentiate between coverage areas. The “Stop on Demand” sign is only valid at a specific installation location. If the bus stops 10 meters before the sign or 10 meters after it, this can formally be considered a violation of the stopping place, although in reality drivers often ignore this nuance for the convenience of passengers.
⚠️ Attention: never rely on the bus driver to “guess” to stop. If you need to leave, always give a clear, pre-signaled hand signal. The driver may not see you in the mirrors if you are hiding behind a pole or snowdrift.
Understanding the rules associated with a sign stop on demand, makes traffic on the roads more predictable and safer. Drivers who respect these standards not only avoid fines, but also contribute to the culture of road traffic. Remember that public transport transports people, and their comfort and safety depend on the attentiveness of all participants in the process.
Is the bus required to stop if a passenger at the stop does not raise his hand?
Formally, if there is an “On Demand” sign, the bus driver is obliged to stop only if a signal is given. The signal is considered to be a passenger raising his hand at a stop or pressing a button in the passenger compartment. If no one has given a signal, the driver has the right not to stop, but many drivers, out of politeness, still brake when they see people at a stop.
Is it possible for a passenger car to stop at a sign to drop off a passenger?
No, stopping passenger cars in the area covered by the “Stopping Place for Route Vehicles” sign is prohibited, even to disembark passengers. To do this, you need to find a place outside the sign's coverage area (usually 15 meters before and after the sign). The exception is cases when the landing is carried out without causing interference, but the risk of receiving a fine remains high.
What should you do if there is a "Stop on Demand" sign in the middle of the road without a pocket?
The bus driver is obliged to stop, pressing as close as possible to the right edge of the roadway. Other drivers should slow down and be ready to pass only after the bus has finished boarding/dropping off and has signaled a left turn. If a detour is not possible without entering the oncoming lane, you must wait until the maneuver is completed.